Paraplegic bed

ABSTRACT

This invention comprises a paraplegic bed having three portions, a foot portion, a body portion or seat portion, and a back and head portion; the portions are provided with means for maintaining all three portions in coplanar alignment, and changing the angle of the plane, and means are provided for changing the plane of each portion with respect to any of the others portions; and means are provided for selectively changing the seat portion both longitudinally and transversely with respect to the foot portion and back portion; said means for changing positions and relationship of parts is preferably electric push button actuated.

United States Patent 1 1 1 3,729,751

Kirkman 51 May 1, 1973 PARAPLEGIC BED [76] Inventor: Wayne V. Kirkman, 960 42nd St., Primary Examiner casm Nunberg West Palm Beach, Fla. Atmmey Ha| Mccaghren [22] Filed: AP!- 26, 1971 57 ABSTRACT [21] Appl' 137,399 This invention comprises a paraplegic bed having three portions, a foot portion, a body portion or seat 52 US. Cl ..5/66, 5/69 ponion, and a back and head p the p i are [51] Int. Cl ..A47c 3/32 Provided with means for maintaining all three Portions 58 Field of Search ..5/66-69 in p n alignment, and g g the angle of the plane, and means are provided for changing the plane [5 6] References Cited of each portion with respect to any of the others portions; and means are provided for selectively changing UNITED STATES PATENTS the seat portion both longitudinally and transversely 3,239,853 3/1966 MacDonald ..5/68 with respect to the foot Portion and back P Said 3,581,319 6/ 1971 Stanley et al. ..5/68 means for changing positions and relationship of parts 3,198,891 8/1965 Burst et al. .5/68 X is preferably electric push button actuated.

3,175,229 3/1965 Bergenwall ..5/66 1 1,973,699 9/1934 Bradley ..5/69 7 Claims, 23 Drawing Figures Patented May 1, 1973 3,729,751

6 Sheets-Sheet 2 //Y new roe Idler/Y5 V/WRK H/Y M//77 A f7rroensx Patented May 1, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 E m a 2 W W u 0 M M M a 0 O fl/ 0 0 i: .w M M s 0 0 M 3 w Patented May 1, 1973 3,729,151

6 Sheets-Sheet 5 fir TOE/YE X Patented May 1, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 I. llllllllllllullll III .III.

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. n n a u :020 0:6: 3 m m w 0 mi ms o w flrroz YEX I PARAPLEGIC BED An object of this invention is to provide a paraplegic bed having three portions, to-wit; a foot portion, a seat portion, and a back and head portion; and, means for changing the position of the bed from horizontal to vertical and any position in the angular displacement therebetween.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the class described in which the foot portion and the back portion may be changed in planar relationship to the seat portion.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the class described in which said bed may be synchronously converted to a chair, with the seat portion being displaced transversely of the plane of the back and seat portions.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a device of the class described which may be selectively changed in position by actuation of one of a plurality of switches.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a device of the class described which would be simple and economical in construction, and efficient and durable in use.

The invention will be more fully understood from the following specification, in conjunction with the drawings, forming a part thereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a device of this invention in horizontal or bed position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the device of this invention showing the foot, back and head portions in elevated or displaced position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the device of this invention showing the displacement of the elements to form a seat with the seat portion displaced transversely of the plane of the foot and back portions;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the device of this invention displaced to vertical or standing position;

FIG. 5 is an end elevation of the device of this invention showing the motor and gear arrangement for operation of the foot portion;

FIG. 6 is an end elevation of the back and head portion, parts broken away for clarity;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken through the seat portion;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal section taken through the seat portion;

FIG. 9 is a detail view of the drive mechanism for the foot portion showing the pinion and rack drive mechanism;

FIG. 10 is a detail cross-sectional view of the mounting elements for the seat portion;

FIG. 11 is a detail sectional view of the support and elevating chains for the back and head portion;

FIG. 12 is a horizontal sectional view taken through the support column of the chain drive shaft mechanism;

FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view of the support column for the back and head portion illustrating the mounting for the elevating or operating chains;

FIG. 14 is a transverse sectional view of the drive, motor and chain connection for the chain drive shaft of the back and head portion;

FIG. 15 is a detail view of the adjusting mounts for the rack under the seat portion;

FIG. 16 is a detail view of the drive pinion and yoke of the foot portion drive mechanism, at the upper bend of the rack;

FIG. 17 is a detail view of the drive pinion and yoke for the foot portion at the lower bend of the rack;

FIG. 18 is a schematic wiring diagram for the electric motor circuits;

FIG. 19 is an elevation of the electric motors control panel;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the castor mountings.

FIG. 21 is a plane view of stiffening or reinforcing bars for the bed portions;

FIG. 22 is a side elevation of the stiffening or reinforcing bars of the bed portions; and,

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary sectional view showing stop limits for the pivotal or jackknife action between adjacent bed portions;

Referring to the drawings, wherein like parts are given the same reference numeral, a substantially rectangular base 11, which supports the parts of this invention, is mounted on casters 12 for ease in moving the device to desired locations.

A cabinet 13 is mounted upon one end of the base number 11 to provide a storage area, and also as a support for the terminal end of a foot portion; and, this cabinet has risers 14 mounted thereon to receive adjusting screws 15, which support side rails 16 longitudinally positioned in substantially level horizontal position;

A supporting column 17 is secured to the terminal end of the base member 11 adjacent the storage cabinet 13, to support one end of an inverted channel member 18, which extends the length of the frame or base 11. The channel member 18 has a central portion thereof angularly disposed downwardly from the said cabinet member 13, as shown at 19, and terminates in a horizontal portion 21 parallel to the portion extending over the cabinet 13; and, this lower level of the channel member 18 extends beyond the base member 11.

The inverted channel 18 is provided with longitudinal rails 22, secured to and parallel with the edges of said channel 18, and extending the entire length of said channel member 18. The rails 22 support and have attached thereto a rack 23 substantially centrally positioned in said channel member 18. The channel member 18 is provided with an adjustable supporting member 24 at the free end thereof, to provide for raising or lowering the channel member 18.

A pair of spaced columns 25 are mounted on the terminal end 51A of the base member 11 opposite the cabinet 13 end, and extend vertically from said terminal end 51A on base 11. The columns are provided with cross-bracing members 24 at the lower ends thereof. These columns 25 are provided with elongated slots or guideways 26 on the inside portions facing and aligned with each other. These slots or guideways 26 receive elevating mechanisms explained herein. A cap 27 is fitted on each column 25 and provided with an aperture to receive a cap screw 28 which has the lower end thereof threadedly engaging tapped apertures 29 in the head of yoke members 31 adapted to slide within the column 25. Depending side members of the yoke 31 support idler sprockets 32, which receive an articulated continuous chain member 33, having an elevating cross bar 34 positioned and secured to aligned links of said chain members 33. This elevating cross bar 34 is positioned through the elongated slots 26 and extends between the columns 25.

Bearing plates 35 are secured to the inner surfaces of the columns 25 and positioned below the normal position of the back and head portion of the bed, which is below the plane of the top of the cabinet 13; and, the said bearing plates 35 support a drive shaft 37 to which is secured a drive sprocket 38 to receive an endless chain 39 to transmit power to a drive shaft through sprockets 42 on the shaft of the head motor 43. This head motor 43 and also the foot motor 57 for the foot portion includes the self contained electric motor and reduction gears for the desired speed output of the drive shaft.

The shaft of the head motor 43 is operably connected to a cam drum 45 containing a plurality of earns 46, which are cross connected to corresponding cams forming part of the control of the foot motor 57, to provide synchronized operation of the two motors. The head motor 43 can be mounted upon any suitable base in any conventional manner. lts mounting is illustrated as a base 47, supported by cross angular bars 48 attached to the columns 25 by cap screws 49, and positioned outwardly from the columns 25.

Side plates or guideways 51 which are mounted on terminal end 51A of the base and these side plates 51 are secured to the columns 25 by angle members 52.

The foregoing comprises substantially the stationary supporting parts and movable members remaining on the stationary parts. The following description is directed principally towards the movable bed portions supported by the aforedescribed support members, and to the means for selectively actuating the three portions of the bed.

The bed proper is, as aforesaid, divided into three portions, the foot portion, the seat portion, and the back and head portion. The foot portion comprises a frame having side rails 53 and cross angle members 54. Rollers 55 are mounted under the horizontal flanges of the side rails 53. One of the cross angle members 54 has secured thereto a bracket 56 to which is secured the combined motor and reduction gearing 57, which is provided with a flexible coupling 58 on its drive shaft and operable connected to drive a short shaft 59 supported by a bracket 60. A pinion gear 61 is mounted on the short shaft 59 and positioned to engage the rack 23. Guide rollers 62 are secured to the short shaft 59 and positioned to operate on the side rails 22 mounted on the inverted channel 18. The short shaft 59 has secured thereto a yoke 63, having its side members extending below the inverted channel 18 and having the terminal ends thereof provided with retaining rollers 64 mounted thereon and adapted to contact the bottom of the inverted channel member 18. These retaining rollers 64 by engagement with the channel 18 prevents the pinion 61 from becoming disengaged with the rack 23 and permits the rollers 62 to roll along on side rails 22 in operation of the pinion and rack to move the foot portion longitudinally along the rack. The short shaft 59 extends beyond the yoke 63, and has mounted thereon a reduction gearing 65, which operates the moving parts of the cam drum 66 to operate the individual earns 67, some of which are cross connected to predetermined selected cams in the back and head portion motor assembly 43.

A plate 68 is secured to the frame formed by the side rails 53 and cross angle members 54, which plate 68 supports a mattress member 69. A foot rest 7'! is adjustably mounted on the side rails 53 of the foot portion frame, to provide for adjustment to accomodate the size of a particular patient using the device. The side rails 53 are chamfered at the interior terminal ends at 45 angle and the cross rail 72 is mounted at a 45 angle to the said frames, and is hingedly connected by means of an elongated hinge 73.

The seat portion, being the intermediate or central portion between the foot portion and back and head portion, comprises side rails 76, preferably formed of angle members having one flange of each of the side rails horizontal and the other flange extending vertically upward. These side rails 76 are securely joined by cross angle members 77 with the cross angle member adjacent the foot portion, being designated cross member 78 is set at an angle of 45 to compliment the corresponding cross end member 72 of the foot portion, and is pivotally connected therewith by the elongated hinge 73. The side rails have securely mounted thereto and extending therebetween cross bars 79, which support rollers 81 to which longitudinal rails 82 are rotatable mounted. A substantially rectangular frame 83, is secured to the rails 82 and is slidable displacable longitudinally with respect to the side rails 76. A seat plate 84 is secured to the slidable frame 83 and this mattress portion 85 is on a base portion slightly smaller than the mattress to provide for an undercut groove 86 around the mattress portion to assure a snug fit of the mattress covering. The seat plate 84 has secured thereto a motor base or mount 87 to which is secured a motor including reduction gearing 88. The shaft of the motor and reduction gearing 88 has operatively connected thereto a pinion 89, which engages the rack 91 mounted to two of the cross bracing members. Limits 92 are interposed to determine the length of travel in either direction forward or aft of the slidable seat plate 84.

The side rails 76 for the seat portion insert into the side rails of the head of the bed. The vertical flanges of said side rails have the ends thereof entering and received by a bifurcated end 94 of the supporting arms 95. Pins 96 hold the side rails 76 and bifurcated support arm pivotally together, and the pin'96 also support rollers 97 for operating on the side plates 51 The back and head portion have opposed supporting arms 95 connected by cross angle members 98 to provide a rigid frame to receive a back and head plate 99 to which the back and head mattress portion 101 is secured. The marginal edge of the mattress is similarly undercut, as shown at 102, to receive the mattress cover binding for a snug fitting cover. The adjacent edges of the seat mattress and the back and head mattress are cut at complimentary angles, as illustrated at 103 to provide coplaner alignment and permit sections independently moved for various combinations of positions.

The elevating bar 34 is provided with flange rollers 104 which engage the supporting bars, engaging the under surface of the support arms 95 and against a retaining strap 105 for free movement of the back and head portion toward head or foot of bed and self adjusts position of back and head portion when moving from horizontal position to vertical position or any angular displacement therebetween, and also prevent the back and head portion from becoming misaligned.

When positioning all three portions of the bed, foot portion, seat portion and back and head portion, from one position to another in a planar relationship, it will be necessary to tie the three movable sections together in a rigid form. To accomplish this, side rails 106 are provided, which extend substantially the length of the three portions and are secured to each portion thereof by means of any suitable fastening device, preferably bolts and wing nut assemblies 107 engaging nuts secured to the underside of the side rails of each frame for each portion, apertures 110 being formed in the side rails and support arms to receive these bolt arrangements. Of course stud bolts 109 can be employed in lieu of the wing nut and bolt assemblies 107.

Limit stops 111 are disposed in the path of the cross members of the head portion so that when the cross member is moved forwardly, the stop member 111 is positioned to hold the seat portion from moving away from the pivotal action necessary for the pivotal movement of the foot portion in respect to the seat portion. When employed as a seat with the back and head portion vertical, the back and head portion motor raises the cross member out of the path of the stop so that the seat portion may be extended beyond the head columns 25 to reduce the seat area.

In operation the mechanical and electrical parts are correlated, and quite simple.

A control panel 113 has a neon glow lamp 114 to indicate if the current is on or off position, for safe operation. Two push buttons 115 and 116 together are provided to selectively actuate switches to raise the foot portion of the bed and lower the foot portion of the bed, to position the unit as a vertical standing unit in one plane, or a chair having the three bed portions in different'planes, and return the unit to a horizontal position. The control panel is provided with one overall energy circuit breaker 125.

The following typical settings are used for illustrations only, other settings can be employed. in order to change the positions of the bed from flat or horizontal normal laying position, to one in which the foot portion alone is pivoted, the foot switch 122 is actuated by holding the push button 115 until the foot portion motor 57 moves the foot portion towards the back and head portion until the head portion engages the stop 111 preventing further movement and causing the foot section to then pivot raising that portion near the knees approximately inches. When the pinion driven by the foot portion motor has made two revolutions the cam drum has turned approximately 51 degrees and cam 1 opens the circuit to stop the foot motor.

To lower the foot portion, the push button 116 is depressed and held until the foot motor, operating in reverse returns the foot portion to flat position and limit switch 126 opens and stops the motor.

To raise the back and head portion of the bed only, the head only switch 117 is depressed to actuate switch 123, and held until the back and head motor 43 operates to raise the head section, when this is done the cam drum will be rotated approximately 51, and cam 2 opens the circuit to stop the motor.

To lower the back and head portion from the inclined position the lowering switch button 118 is depressed and held until the motor, operating in reverse lowers the back and head section to flat position, and limit switch 127 will open the circuit and stop the motor.

Any of the aforementioned steps with respect to the foot portion only raising and lowering, and the back and head portion raising and lowering only can be stopped at any intermediate point in the circuit by merely releasing the pressure from the operating button that operates the switch, to shut off current to the motor and stop in that position.

To position the bed from coplanar horizontal bed position to a chair position, depress the push button 117 to actuate the back and head motor to raise the free end of the head portion; after two revolutions of the sprocket on the drive chain and 51 revolution of the cam drum, cam number 4 will close and allow the foot motor to operate.

After five and one half revolutions of the back and head motor sprocketed shaft at approximately of the cam drum, cam number 5 will open and the back and head motor will stop, the foot motor pinion will rotate 4% revolutions or approximately 1 10 of the cam drum, at which point cam number 6 will open the switch and the foot motor will stop.

To adjust the width of the seat portion withrespect to the back and head portion, push buttons 119 is provided for forward movement and push button 121 for return movement, each button selectively actuating switch 124 for the seat motor central. Limit switches 92 cutting off the circuits when maximum movement has been reached in either direction.

To lower the bed portion from sitting position, depress and hold button 118 to actuate the switch for the foot portion motor which will rotate in reverse direction. When the foot motor pinion rotates two and one-half revolutions or approximately 19 of the cam drum, cam 7 will close and cause the head motor to rotate in reverse direction. Limit switch 126 will open and stop the foot portion motor after eight revolutions in reverse direction; and, limit switch 127 will open and stop the back and head motor portion after five and one half revolutions of the sprocket shaft in reverse direction.

To position all three bed sections to standing position or vertical position from laying or horizontal position, depress push button 117 to actuate the head motor, and after two revolutions of the head motor sprocket the cam drum will turn 51 degrees, and then cam 9 will close the circuit through the foot portion motor to operate the head motor sprocket shaft for approximately seven revolutions at which point the cam drum will have turned 220 and cam 10 will open the circuit to stop the head motor. After 13 revolutions of the foot motor pinion the cam drum for this portion will have turned 338 and cam 8 will then open the circuit through the foot motor to stop the action, the three portions now will be vertical.

To return the three sections in a coplanar relationship from standing or vertical position to flat or bed horizontal position the push button 118 is depressed to actuate the foot motor in reverse for six and one half revolutions at which point the foot motor pinion will operate the cam drum to close cam 11 and allow the head motor to rotate in reverse direction. After 13 revolutions of the foot motor pinion in the reverse direction limit switch 128 will open and stop the foot motor at which point the head motor sprocket will have rotated approximately seven revolutions and the cam rotated 220, then limit switch 129 will open the circuit and stop the head motor.

lclaim:

l. A paraplegic bed comprising a base, a plurality of bed positions, pivotal means connected adjacent bed portions, planar guideways supporting said bed portions on said base, a second guideway having terminal portions thereof substantially parallel and in different planes, an angularly disposed central portion connecting the terminal portions of said second guideway, a rack member extending the length of said second guideway and supported thereby, a pinion gear connected with one terminal bed portion and operably engaging said rack, and means selectively moving one bed portion with respect to the other bed portions and moving all bed portions simultaneously.

2. The device of claim 1 in which said means selectively moving one bed portion is electric motor driven means.

3. The device of claim 2 together with a pressure switch for actuating said electric motor driven means and releasing contact upon release of pressure.

4. The device of claim 1 together with cam actuated synchronized means to move all bed portions simultaneously.

5. A paraplegic bed comprising a substantially horizontal rectangular frame, spaced parallel longitudinal guideways supported by said frame, the terminal ends of said guideways being in different horizontal planes, an angularly disposed intermediate guideways portions connecting said terminal ends, spaced parallel substantially vertical guideways aligned with the lower terminal ends of said horizontal guideways, a plurality of pivotally connected mattress bed frames, mattress plates mounted in said mattress bed frames and supporting mattress portions, electric motor actuated means for moving one mattress bed frame on said guideways with respect to the other mattress bed frames, electrically controlled means for synchronous movement of said bed frames, electrically controlled means for moving one said 'mattress plates, control means for selectively actuating said electrically controlled means.

6. The device of claim 5 in which the electrically controlled means for synchronous movement is cooperating cam switches.

7. A paraplegic bed comprising a substantially horizontal rectangular frame, spaced parallel longitudinal guideways supported by said frame, the terminal ends of said guideways being in different horizontal planes, an angularly disposed intermediate guideway portions connecting said terminal ends, spaced parallel substantially vertical guideways aligned with the lower terminal ends of said horizontal guideways, three pivotally connected mattress bed frames, mattress plates mounted in said mattress bed frames and supporting mattress portions, electric motor actuated means for moving one mattress bed frame on said guideways with respect to the other mattress bed frames, means moving the central bed frame with respect to the terminal end bed frames when substantially perpendicular thereto, electrically controlled means for synchronous movement of said bed frames, electrically controlled means for moving the intermediate mattress plate, pressure actuated control means for selectively actuating said electrically controlled means. 

1. A paraplegic bed comprising a base, a plurality of bed positions, pivotal means connected adjacent bed portions, planar guideways supporting said bed portions on said base, a second guideway having terminal portions thereof substantially parallel and in different planes, an angularly disposed central portion connecting the terminal portions of said second guideway, a rack member extending the length of said second guideway and supported thereby, a pinion gear connected with one terminal bed portion and operably engaging said rack, and means selectively moving one bed portion with respect to the other bed portions and moving all bed portions simultaneously.
 2. The device of claim 1 in which said means selectively moving one bed portion is electric motor driven means.
 3. The device of claim 2 together with a pressure switch for actuating said electric motor driven means and releasing contact upon release of pressure.
 4. The device of claim 1 together with cam actuated synchronized means to move all bed portions simultaneously.
 5. A paraplegic bed comprising a substantially horizontal rectangular frame, spaced parallel longitudinal guideways supported by said frame, the terminal ends of said guideways being in different horizontal planes, an angularly disposed intermediate guideways portions connecting said terminal ends, spaced parallel substantially vertical guideways aligned with the lower terminal ends of said horizontal guideways, a plurality of pivotally connected mattress bed frames, mattress plates mounted in said mattress bed frames and supporting mattress portions, electric motor actuated means for moving one mattress bed frame on said guideways with respect to the other mattress bed frames, electrically controlled means for synchronous movement of said bed frames, electrically controlled means for moving one said mattress plates, control means for selectively actuating said electrically controlled means.
 6. The device of claim 5 in which the electrically controlled means for synchronous movement is cooperating cam switches.
 7. A paraplegic bed comprising a substantially horizontal rectangular frame, spaced parallel longitudinal guideways supported by said frame, the terminal ends of said guideways being in different horizontal planes, an angularly disposed intermediate guideway portions connecting said terminal ends, spaced parallel substantially vertical guideways aligned with the lower terminal ends of said horizontal guideways, three pivotally connected mattress bed frames, mattress plates mounted in said mattress bed frames and supporting mattress portions, electric motor actuated means for moving one mattress bed frame on said guideways with respect to the other mattress bed frames, means moving the central bed frame with respect to the terminal end bed frames when substantially perpendicular thereto, electrically controlled means for synchronous movement of said bed frames, electrically controlled means for moving the intermediate mattress plate, pressure actuated control means for selectively actuating said electrically controlled means. 